Zoot Sims
Encyclopedia
John Haley "Zoot" Sims (October 29, 1925 - March 23, 1985) was an American
jazz
saxophonist, playing mainly tenor and soprano.
, California
, the son of vaudeville performers Kate Haley and John Sims. Growing up in a performing family, Sims learned to play both drums
and clarinet
at an early age. His father was a vaudeville hoofer
, and Sims prided himself on remembering many of the steps his father taught him.
Following in the footsteps of Lester Young
, Sims developed into an innovative tenor saxophonist. Throughout his career, he played with renowned bands, including Benny Goodman
, Artie Shaw
, Stan Kenton
, and Buddy Rich
. Sims was also one of Woody Herman
's "Four Brothers", and he was known among his peers as one of the strongest swingers in the field. He frequently led his own combos and sometimes toured with his friend Gerry Mulligan
's sextet, and later with Mulligan's Concert Jazz Band.
In the 1950s and '60s, Sims had a long, successful partnership as co-leader of a quintet with Al Cohn
, which recorded under the name "Al and Zoot". That group was a favorite at the New York club The Half Note. Always fond of the higher register of the tenor sax, Zoot also liked to play alto and late in his career added the soprano saxophone
to his performances, while recording a series of albums for the Pablo Records
label of impresario Norman Granz
. Zoot also played on some of Jack Kerouac
's recordings.
Sims acquired the nickname — Zoot — early in his career while he was in the Kenny Baker band in California. The name was later appropriated for a sax-playing Muppet.
Zoot Sims died in New York
on March 23, 1985.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
saxophonist, playing mainly tenor and soprano.
Biography
He was born in InglewoodInglewood, California
Inglewood is a city in southwestern Los Angeles County, California, southwest of downtown Los Angeles. It was incorporated on February 14, 1908. Its population stood at 109,673 as of the 2010 Census...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, the son of vaudeville performers Kate Haley and John Sims. Growing up in a performing family, Sims learned to play both drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
and clarinet
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
at an early age. His father was a vaudeville hoofer
Tap dance technique
Tap dance technique makes frequent use of syncopation. Tap dance choreographies typically start on the eighth beat, or between the eighth and the first count.Another aspect of tap dancing is improvisation...
, and Sims prided himself on remembering many of the steps his father taught him.
Following in the footsteps of Lester Young
Lester Young
Lester Willis Young , nicknamed "Prez", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and clarinetist. He also played trumpet, violin, and drums....
, Sims developed into an innovative tenor saxophonist. Throughout his career, he played with renowned bands, including Benny Goodman
Benny Goodman
Benjamin David “Benny” Goodman was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader; widely known as the "King of Swing".In the mid-1930s, Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America...
, Artie Shaw
Artie Shaw
Arthur Jacob Arshawsky , better known as Artie Shaw, was an American jazz clarinetist, composer, and bandleader. He was also the author of both fiction and non-fiction writings....
, Stan Kenton
Stan Kenton
Stanley Newcomb "Stan" Kenton was a pianist, composer, and arranger who led a highly innovative, influential, and often controversial American jazz orchestra. In later years he was widely active as an educator....
, and Buddy Rich
Buddy Rich
Bernard "Buddy" Rich was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. Rich was billed as "the world's greatest drummer" and was known for his virtuosic technique, power, groove, and speed.-Early life:...
. Sims was also one of Woody Herman
Woody Herman
Woodrow Charles Herman , known as Woody Herman, was an American jazz clarinetist, alto and soprano saxophonist, singer, and big band leader. Leading various groups called "The Herd," Herman was one of the most popular of the 1930s and '40s bandleaders...
's "Four Brothers", and he was known among his peers as one of the strongest swingers in the field. He frequently led his own combos and sometimes toured with his friend Gerry Mulligan
Gerry Mulligan
Gerald Joseph "Gerry" Mulligan was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, composer and arranger. Though Mulligan is primarily known as one of the leading baritone saxophonists in jazz history – playing the instrument with a light and airy tone in the era of cool jazz – he was also...
's sextet, and later with Mulligan's Concert Jazz Band.
In the 1950s and '60s, Sims had a long, successful partnership as co-leader of a quintet with Al Cohn
Al Cohn
Al Cohn was an American jazz saxophonist and arranger and composer.-Biography:Alvin Gilbert Cohn was born in Brooklyn, New York. He was initially known in the 1940s for playing in Woody Herman's Second Herd as one of the Four Brothers, along with Zoot Sims, Stan Getz, and Serge Chaloff...
, which recorded under the name "Al and Zoot". That group was a favorite at the New York club The Half Note. Always fond of the higher register of the tenor sax, Zoot also liked to play alto and late in his career added the soprano saxophone
Soprano saxophone
The soprano saxophone is a variety of the saxophone, a woodwind instrument, invented in 1840. The soprano is the third smallest member of the saxophone family, which consists of the soprillo, sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass, contrabass and tubax.A transposing instrument pitched in...
to his performances, while recording a series of albums for the Pablo Records
Pablo Records
Pablo Records was a record label founded by Norman Granz in 1972, some ten years after he had sold his jazz labels to MGM Records....
label of impresario Norman Granz
Norman Granz
Norman Granz was an American jazz music impresario and producer.Granz was a fundamental figure in American jazz, especially from about 1947 to 1960...
. Zoot also played on some of Jack Kerouac
Jack Kerouac
Jean-Louis "Jack" Lebris de Kerouac was an American novelist and poet. He is considered a literary iconoclast and, alongside William S. Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg, a pioneer of the Beat Generation. Kerouac is recognized for his spontaneous method of writing, covering topics such as Catholic...
's recordings.
Sims acquired the nickname — Zoot — early in his career while he was in the Kenny Baker band in California. The name was later appropriated for a sax-playing Muppet.
Zoot Sims died in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
on March 23, 1985.
Discography
- Stan GetzStan GetzStanley Getz was an American jazz saxophone player. Getz was known as "The Sound" because of his warm, lyrical tone, his prime influence being the wispy, mellow timbre of his idol, Lester Young. Coming to prominence in the late 1940s with Woody Herman's big band, Getz is described by critic Scott...
, Al CohnAl CohnAl Cohn was an American jazz saxophonist and arranger and composer.-Biography:Alvin Gilbert Cohn was born in Brooklyn, New York. He was initially known in the 1940s for playing in Woody Herman's Second Herd as one of the Four Brothers, along with Zoot Sims, Stan Getz, and Serge Chaloff...
, The Brothers (1949) Prestige RecordsPrestige RecordsPrestige Records was a jazz record label founded in 1949 by Bob Weinstock. The company was located at 203 South Washington Avenue in Bergenfield, New Jersey, and recorded hundreds of albums by many of the leading jazz musicians of the day, sometimes issuing them under the names of several... - Zoot Sims All Stars (Zoot Sims - Al Cohn - Kai Winding - George Wallington - Percy Heath - Art Blakey) (1953 Esquire Records)
- Zoot! (Riverside RecordsRiverside RecordsRiverside Records was a United States record label specializing in jazz. Founded by Orrin Keepnews and Bill Grauer under his firm Bill Grauer Productions, Inc. in 1953, the label was a major presence in the jazz record industry for a decade...
1956) with Johnny WilliamsJohnny Williams (drummer)Johnny Williams was an American jazz drummer and percussionist from the early 1930s to the late 1950s...
, Nick TravisNick TravisNick Travis was an American jazz trumpeter.Travis started playing professionally at age 15, playing in the early 1940s with Johnny McGhee, Vido Musso , Mitch Ayres, and Woody Herman...
(trumpet), Gus JohnsonGus Johnson (jazz musician)Gus Johnson was the drummer in various jazz bands, including that of Jay McShann for many years. In the 1960s he played for saxophonist Gerry Mulligan and accompanied singer Ella Fitzgerald in her 1960 concert in Berlin...
and Nabil Totah. Compositions by George HandyGeorge HandyGeorge Handy was a jazz music arranger, composer and pianist whose musical beginnings were fostered under the tutelage of pianist Aaron Copland... - Tenor ConclaveTenor ConclaveTenor Conclave is an album credited to jazz musician John Coltrane, released in 1963 on Prestige Records, catalogue 7249. It is a reissue of Prestige 7074 Tenor Conclave by the Prestige All-Stars, recorded at the studio of Rudy Van Gelder in Hackensack, New Jersey, and released in 1957...
(1956) with Hank MobleyHank MobleyHenry Mobley was an American hard bop and soul jazz tenor saxophonist and composer. Mobley was described by Leonard Feather as the "middleweight champion of the tenor saxophone", a metaphor used to describe his tone that was neither as aggressive as John Coltrane nor as mellow as Stan Getz...
, Al Cohn, John ColtraneJohn ColtraneJohn William Coltrane was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Working in the bebop and hard bop idioms early in his career, Coltrane helped pioneer the use of modes in jazz and later was at the forefront of free jazz...
, Red GarlandRed GarlandWilliam "Red" Garland was an American hard bop jazz pianist whose block chord style, in part originated by Milt Buckner, influenced many forthcoming pianists in the jazz idiom.-Beginnings:...
, Paul ChambersPaul ChambersPaul Laurence Dunbar Chambers, Jr. was a jazz bassist. A fixture of rhythm sections during the 1950s and 1960s, his importance in the development of jazz bass can be measured not only by the length and breadth of his work in this short period but also his impeccable time, intonation, and virtuosic...
and Art TaylorArt TaylorArthur S. Taylor, Jr. was an American jazz drummer of the hard bop school.After playing in the bands of Howard McGhee, Coleman Hawkins, Buddy DeFranco, Bud Powell, and George Wallington from 1948 to 1957, he formed his own group, the Wailers... - Jutta Hipp with Zoot SimsJutta Hipp with Zoot SimsJutta Hipp with Zoot Sims is an album by German jazz pianist Jutta Hipp recorded in 1956 which was released on the Blue Note label as BLP 1530.-Reception:...
(1956) with Jutta HippJutta HippJutta Hipp was a jazz pianist who also had some success as a painter. She mostly worked in bebop and cool jazz.... - Goes To Jazzville (1956) with Totah, Williams, Bill Anthony, Jerome Lloyd, and Gus Johnson
- Zoot Sims and The Joe Castro Trio Live at Falcon Lair (1956)
- That Old Feeling is a double-issue CD of two 1956 albums, one including "Bohemia After Dark", Sims' first recorded alto solo, and Zoot Sims plays Alto, Tenor, and Baritone
- Zoot Sims/Al Cohn - Hoagy Carmichael Sessions and More (1957) recorded in New York, Sims plays tenor and Cohn, baritone with Nick TravisNick TravisNick Travis was an American jazz trumpeter.Travis started playing professionally at age 15, playing in the early 1940s with Johnny McGhee, Vido Musso , Mitch Ayres, and Woody Herman...
, trombonist Jimmy ClevelandJimmy ClevelandJimmy Cleveland was an American jazz trombone born in Wartrace, Tennessee.Cleveland worked with many well-known jazz musicians, including Lionel Hampton, Miles Davis, Sarah Vaughan, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Quincy Jones, Lucky Thompson, Gigi Gryce, Oscar Peterson, Oscar Pettiford and James Brown...
, pianist Elliot LawrenceElliot LawrenceElliot Lawrence is an American jazz pianist and bandleader.Son of the broadcaster Stan Lee Broza, Lawrence led his first dance band at age 20, but he played swing at the time its heyday was coming to a close. He recorded copiously as a bandleader for Columbia, Decca, King, Fantasy, Vik, and Sesac...
, bassist Milt HintonMilt HintonMilton John "Milt" Hinton , "the dean of jazz bass players," was an American jazz double bassist and photographer. He was nicknamed "The Judge".-Biography:...
, and drummer Osie JohnsonOsie JohnsonJames "Osie" Johnson was a jazz drummer.He first worked with Sabby Lewis and then, after service in the United States Navy freelanced for a time in Chicago...
. Arrangements by Bill Elton - Together Again! (1957) with Al Cohn, Herbie StewardHerbie StewardHerbert Steward , is an American jazz saxophonist.He is best known for being the tenor saxophone player in Four Brothers, part of Woody Herman's Second Herd.-Discography:...
, Serge ChaloffSerge ChaloffSerge Chaloff was an American jazz baritone saxophonist.The son of noted Boston piano teachers, Margaret and Julius Chaloff, he was among the few major jazz performers on his instrument. Until Chaloff the only prominent baritone player in jazz was Harry Carney of the Duke Ellington Orchestra...
, Elliot LawrenceElliot LawrenceElliot Lawrence is an American jazz pianist and bandleader.Son of the broadcaster Stan Lee Broza, Lawrence led his first dance band at age 20, but he played swing at the time its heyday was coming to a close. He recorded copiously as a bandleader for Columbia, Decca, King, Fantasy, Vik, and Sesac...
, Burgher Jones and Don LamondDon LamondDon Lamond was an American jazz drummer.Lamond attended the Peabody Conservatory in Philadelphia in the early 1940s, and played with Sonny Dunham and Boyd Raeburn at the outset of his career... - A Night at the Half Note (1959) with Al Cohn, Mose AllisonMose AllisonMose John Allison, Jr. is an American jazz blues pianist and singer.-Biography:...
, Paul MotianPaul MotianStephen Paul Motian was an American jazz drummer, percussionist and composer of Armenian extraction.He first came to prominence in the late 1950s in the piano trio of Bill Evans, and later led several groups...
, Nabil Totah, and Phil WoodsPhil WoodsPhilip Wells Woods is an American jazz bebop alto saxophonist, clarinetist, bandleader and composer.-Biography:... - Either Way (1959–60) with Cecil Colier, Bill Crow, Gus Johnson, and Mose Allison
- The double-CD Al CohnAl CohnAl Cohn was an American jazz saxophonist and arranger and composer.-Biography:Alvin Gilbert Cohn was born in Brooklyn, New York. He was initially known in the 1940s for playing in Woody Herman's Second Herd as one of the Four Brothers, along with Zoot Sims, Stan Getz, and Serge Chaloff...
with Zoot Sims Complete Original Quintet/Sextet Studio Recordings contains:- their first quintet/sextet collaboration from 1952
- From A To Z (1956)
- Al And Zoot (1957)
- You 'N' Me (1960) with Allison, Major HolleyMajor HolleyMajor Holley was an American jazz upright bassist.Holley attended the prestigious Cass Technical High School. Holley played violin and tuba when young and started playing bass while serving in the Navy...
, and Osie Johnson. Cohn and Sims play clarinet on "Angel Eyes" and tenor on most tracks
- Down Home (1960) with Dave McKennaDave McKennaDave McKenna was a jazz pianist. He was known for his "three-handed swing" and was a leading proponent of solo piano style.-Biography:...
, George TuckerGeorge Tucker (musician)George Andrew Tucker was an American jazz double-bassist.Tucker attended the New York Conservatory of Modern Music, studying bass in the late 1940s. Early in his career he played with Earl Bostic, John Coltrane, and Jackie McLean...
, and Dannie RichmondDannie RichmondDannie Richmond was an American drummer who was best known among jazz fans for his work with Charles Mingus, and among pop fans for his work with Joe Cocker, Elton John and Mark-Almond.... - At the Half Note Again (1965) with Cohn, pianist Roger KellawayRoger KellawayRoger Kellaway is an American composer, arranger, and pianist.Born in Waban, Massachusetts, he is an alumnus of the New England Conservatory...
, bassist Bill CrowBill CrowBill Crow is an American jazz bassist and author.Crow was born in Othello, Washington in the United States of America, but spent his childhood in Kirkland, Washington. After high school, he briefly played sousaphone at the University of Washington in Seattle...
, drummer Mel LewisMel LewisMel Lewis was an American drummer, jazz musician and band leader. He was born Melvin Sokoloff in Buffalo, New York to Russian immigrant parents....
. On some tracks there is a third tenor player Richie KamucaRichie KamucaRichie Kamuca , was an American jazz tenor saxophonist born in Philadelphia.-Musical career:Like many players associated with West Coast jazz, Kamuca grew up in the East before moving west around the time that bebop changed the prevailing style of jazz...
and a different rhythm section (pianist Dave FrishbergDave FrishbergDave Frishberg is an American jazz pianist, vocalist and composer born in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Frishberg resisted learning classical piano as a boy, developing an interest in blues and boogie-woogie by listening to recordings by Pete Johnson and Jay McShann. As a teenager he played in the house...
, bassist Tommy PotterTommy PotterCharles Thomas Potter, born in Philadelphia on September 21, 1918, died March 1, 1988, was a jazz double bass player.Potter is known for having been a member of Charlie Parker's "classic quintet", with Miles Davis, between 1947 and 1950; he had first played with Parker in 1944, in Billy Eckstine's...
and Lewis - Bossa Nova Session (1962) with Jim HallJim Hall (musician)James Stanley Hall is an American jazz guitarist.-Biography:Educated at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Hall moved to Los Angeles where he began to attract national, and then international, attention in the late 1950s...
- Waiting GameWaiting Game (album)Waiting Game is an album by American jazz saxophonist Zoot Sims and Orchestra arranged by Garry McFarland featuring performances recorded in England in 1966 for the Impulse! label.-Reception:The Allmusic review awarded the album 3 stars....
with Orchestra arranged by Gary McFarlandGary McFarlandGary McFarland was an influential composer, arranger, vibraphonist and vocalist, prominent on Verve and Impulse! Records during the 1960s, when he made "one of the more significant contributors to orchestral jazz"...
(Impulse!, 1966) - Al CohnAl CohnAl Cohn was an American jazz saxophonist and arranger and composer.-Biography:Alvin Gilbert Cohn was born in Brooklyn, New York. He was initially known in the 1940s for playing in Woody Herman's Second Herd as one of the Four Brothers, along with Zoot Sims, Stan Getz, and Serge Chaloff...
& Zoot Sims - Easy As Pie - live at the Left Bank Jazz SocietyLeft Bank Jazz SocietyThe Left Bank Jazz Society is a Baltimore, Maryland-based organization that promotes jazz in Baltimore. It formed in 1964, hosting a series of concerts featuring nationally acclaimed performers like John Coltrane and Duke Ellington. Tapes from these recordings were tied up in legal disputes and not...
night at the Famous Ballroom in Baltimore, 1968. Rhythm section is Dave FrishbergDave FrishbergDave Frishberg is an American jazz pianist, vocalist and composer born in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Frishberg resisted learning classical piano as a boy, developing an interest in blues and boogie-woogie by listening to recordings by Pete Johnson and Jay McShann. As a teenager he played in the house...
, Victor SprolesVictor SprolesVictor Sproles is a US jazz bassist.Sproles worked in the 1950s with Red Rodney and Ira Sullivan and appears on the Sun Ra recordings Super-Sonic Jazz, Sound of Joy and Deep Purple....
on bass and Donald McDonald on drums - Zoot Sims/Al Cohn - Body and Soul (1973) with Jaki Byard on piano, George Duvivier on bass and Mel Lewis on drums
- Zoot Suite (1973) - live with Jimmy RowlesJimmy RowlesJimmy Rowles was an American jazz pianist who was best known as an accompanist. He also released a number of albums under his own name, and explored various idioms including swing and cool jazz. - Biography :Born in Spokane, Washington, Rowles studied at Gonzaga College in Spokane, Washington...
, George MrazGeorge MrazGeorge Mraz is a jazz bassist and alto saxophonist. He was a member of Oscar Peterson's group, and has worked with Stan Getz, Tommy Flanagan, Chet Baker and many other important jazz musicians...
(bass) and Mousey AlexanderMousey AlexanderElmer "Mousey" Alexander was an American jazz drummer.Born in Gary, Indiana, Alexander studied at the Roy Knapp School in Chicago. He began to work with Jimmy McPartland there, soon after playing in the band of his wife, Marian McPartland... - Joe Venuti/Zoot Sims - Joe & Zoot & More (1973) w Spencer ClarkSpencer ClarkSpencer Clark was a racecar driver in the United States. He raced in short tracks in his home state of Nevada and was named a Young Lions National in 2001. In 2003, he competed in four races in the Mechanix Wear SpeedTruck Series, grabbing three pole positions. He was also named Rookie of the Year...
on bass saxophoneBass saxophoneThe bass saxophone is the second largest member of the saxophone family. Its design is similar to that of the baritone saxophone, with a loop of tubing near the mouthpiece. It was the first type of saxophone presented to the public, when Adolphe Sax exhibited a bass saxophone in C at an exhibition...
, Milt HintonMilt HintonMilton John "Milt" Hinton , "the dean of jazz bass players," was an American jazz double bassist and photographer. He was nicknamed "The Judge".-Biography:...
and Bucky PizzarelliBucky PizzarelliJohn Paul "Bucky" Pizzarelli is an American Jazz guitarist and banjoist, and the father of jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli and upright bassist Martin Pizzarelli. Pizzarelli has also worked for NBC as a staffman for Dick Cavett and also ABC with Bobby Rosengarden in... - Zoot Sims and the Gershwin BrothersZoot Sims and the Gershwin BrothersZoot Sims and the Gershwin Brothers is a 1975 studio album by Zoot Sims, featuring the music of George and Ira Gershwin...
(1975) with pianist Oscar PetersonOscar PetersonOscar Emmanuel Peterson was a Canadian jazz pianist and composer. He was called the "Maharaja of the keyboard" by Duke Ellington, "O.P." by his friends. He released over 200 recordings, won seven Grammy Awards, and received other numerous awards and honours over the course of his career...
, guitarist Joe PassJoe PassJoe Pass was an Italian-American jazz guitarist of Sicilian descent. He is generally considered to be one of the greatest jazz guitarists of the 20th century...
, George Mraz and Grady TateGrady TateGrady Tate, , is a hard bop and soul-jazz drummer and singer.He has played with Lional Hampton, Jimmy Smith, Grant Green, Lena Horne, Astrud Gilberto, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Blossom Dearie, Chris Connor, Sarah Vaughan, Ray Charles, Cal Tjader, Peggy Lee, Bill Evans, Duke Ellington, Count...
(drums) - Count BasieCount BasieWilliam "Count" Basie was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. Basie led his jazz orchestra almost continuously for nearly 50 years...
/Zoot Sims Basie & ZootBasie & ZootBasie & Zoot is a 1975 studio album by Count Basie and Zoot Sims. - Track listing :# "I Never Knew" – 4:38# "It's Only a Paper Moon" – 5:33...
(1975) quartet w bassist John Heard and drummer Louie BellsonLouie BellsonLuigi Paulino Alfredo Francesco Antonio Balassoni , better known by the stage name Louie Bellson , was an Italian-American jazz drummer...
. A bluesy set. - Soprano Sax (1976) with Ray BryantRay BryantRaphael Homer "Ray" Bryant was an American Jazz pianist and composer.-Biography:Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Ray Bryant began playing the piano at the age of six, also performing on bass in junior High School...
, George Mraz, and Grady Tate - Hawthorne Nights (1976) with a small big band and arrangements by Bill HolmanBill Holman (musician)Willis Leonard Holman , known also as Bill Holman, is an American composer/arranger, conductor, saxophonist, and songwriter working primarily in the jazz idiom....
- Somebody Loves Me, a re-issue of tracks cut in the mid-70s for the Groove MerchantGroove MerchantGroove Merchant was an American jazz and R&B record label during the 1970s. It was ran by producer Sonny Lester and distributed by Pickwick Records. Notable artists included Chick Corea, O'Donel Levy, Buddy Rich, Jimmy McGriff, and Lionel Hampton to name a few...
label, featuring Sims on tenor and soprano with Bucky PizzarelliBucky PizzarelliJohn Paul "Bucky" Pizzarelli is an American Jazz guitarist and banjoist, and the father of jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli and upright bassist Martin Pizzarelli. Pizzarelli has also worked for NBC as a staffman for Dick Cavett and also ABC with Bobby Rosengarden in...
(guitar), Milt HintonMilt HintonMilton John "Milt" Hinton , "the dean of jazz bass players," was an American jazz double bassist and photographer. He was nicknamed "The Judge".-Biography:...
(bass), and Buddy RichBuddy RichBernard "Buddy" Rich was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. Rich was billed as "the world's greatest drummer" and was known for his virtuosic technique, power, groove, and speed.-Early life:...
(drums). Some of this was released at the time as the album Nirvana. Reissued by Pilz Records (USA) on CD as Send in the Clowns. The track Gee Baby Ain't I Good To YouGee, Baby, Ain't I Good to You"Gee, Baby, Ain't I Good to You" is a 1929 song written by Andy Razaf and Don Redman. It was later performed by The King Cole Trio. The single peaked at number twenty on the national charts and was the group's final number one on the Harlem Hit Parade...
on this album may be Sims's only recorded vocal; he sings the song first, followed by Buddy Rich. - If I'm Lucky (1977) with pianist Jimmy RowlesJimmy RowlesJimmy Rowles was an American jazz pianist who was best known as an accompanist. He also released a number of albums under his own name, and explored various idioms including swing and cool jazz. - Biography :Born in Spokane, Washington, Rowles studied at Gonzaga College in Spokane, Washington...
, George Mraz and Mousey AlexanderMousey AlexanderElmer "Mousey" Alexander was an American jazz drummer.Born in Gary, Indiana, Alexander studied at the Roy Knapp School in Chicago. He began to work with Jimmy McPartland there, soon after playing in the band of his wife, Marian McPartland...
. Released on Norman GranzNorman GranzNorman Granz was an American jazz music impresario and producer.Granz was a fundamental figure in American jazz, especially from about 1947 to 1960...
's Pablo RecordsPablo RecordsPablo Records was a record label founded by Norman Granz in 1972, some ten years after he had sold his jazz labels to MGM Records.... - For Lady Day (1978) Sims, Rowles and Mraz, performing some of Billie HolidayBillie HolidayBillie Holiday was an American jazz singer and songwriter. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and musical partner Lester Young, Holiday had a seminal influence on jazz and pop singing...
's favourite numbers. Jackie Williams on drums - Zoot Sims and Sweets EdisonSweets EdisonHarry "Sweets" Edison , born in Columbus, Ohio, was an American jazz trumpeter and member of the Count Basie Orchestra.-Biography:He spent his early childhood in Kentucky, where he was introduced to music by an uncle...
- Just Friends (1978). Released on Norman GranzNorman GranzNorman Granz was an American jazz music impresario and producer.Granz was a fundamental figure in American jazz, especially from about 1947 to 1960...
's Pablo RecordsPablo RecordsPablo Records was a record label founded by Norman Granz in 1972, some ten years after he had sold his jazz labels to MGM Records.... - Zoot Sims in Copenhagen (1978)
- I Wish I Were Twins - Zoot Sims with Jimmy RowlesJimmy RowlesJimmy Rowles was an American jazz pianist who was best known as an accompanist. He also released a number of albums under his own name, and explored various idioms including swing and cool jazz. - Biography :Born in Spokane, Washington, Rowles studied at Gonzaga College in Spokane, Washington...
(1981) - Art PepperArt PepperArt Pepper , born Arthur Edward Pepper, Jr., was an American alto saxophonist and clarinetist.About Pepper, Scott Yanow of All Music stated, "In the 1950s he was one of the few altoists that was able to develop his own sound despite the dominant influence of Charlie Parker" and: "When Art Pepper...
/Zoot Sims - Art 'n' Zoot (1981) - with bassist Ray BrownRay Brown (musician)Raymond Matthews Brown was an American jazz double bassist.-Biography:Ray Brown was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and had piano lessons from the age of eight. After noticing how many pianists attended his high school, he thought of taking up the trombone, but was unable to afford one...
and guitarist Barney Kessell - Zoot Sims with Joe PassJoe PassJoe Pass was an Italian-American jazz guitarist of Sicilian descent. He is generally considered to be one of the greatest jazz guitarists of the 20th century...
- Blues For Two (1982) - Suddenly It's Spring - (1983) w Rowles, Mraz and Akira Tana
- Quietly There (1984) Zoot Sims plays Johnny MandelJohnny MandelJohnny Mandel is an American composer and arranger of popular songs, film music and jazz. Among the musicians he has worked with are Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Anita O'Day, Barbra Streisand, and Shirley Horn.-Life:...
compositions with Mike WoffordMike WoffordMike Wofford is a jazz pianist born February 28, 1938 in San Antonio, Texas, raised in San Diego, California.He is best known as an accompanist to and music director for singers Sarah Vaughan , Ella Fitzgerald and others...
piano, Chuck Berghofer bass, Nick CeroliNick CeroliNick Ceroli , was an American jazz drummer.Ceroli was born in Warren, Ohio. He did a tour of Central and South America in 1963 with Ray Anthony, and that same year recorded with Jack Teagarden and played with Gerald Wilson at the Monterey Jazz Festival...
drums, and Victor FeldmanVictor FeldmanVictor Stanley Feldman was a British jazz musician, best known as a pianist.-Early history:...
percussion, his penultimate recording